Traditional systems and application of modern irrigation techniques in the Sultanate of Oman

Growing needs and limited water resources have prompted efforts for water conservation in the Sultanate of Oman. The traditional surface irrigation systems of Aflaj provide 71% of the water supply and irrigate 55% of the cropped area with overall efficiencies in the order of 30%. The need for water conservation initiated government efforts to encourage farmers to adopt modern irrigation systems of sprinklers, trickle and bubblers, coupled with agronomic management, institutionalization and augmentation of resources by desalinization, wastewater treatment, fog collection and rainwater harvesting through recharge dams. More areas in the Sultanate are now being put under modern irrigation systems. The government bears up to 75% of the overhead cost for farms less than 4.2 ha. All new allocations of land for agriculture by the government are required to use modern irrigation systems. Nevertheless, modern irrigation systems still comprise less than 10% of the cultivated area in the Sultanate.